Post by loyalist on Oct 28, 2016 23:19:10 GMT
Even though the AQMF Errata on the Ironclad site states the range given for the Hotchkiss gun in the Mk IV tank stats on page 99 and 102 of the rule book is wrong and should be 20", not 30", it makes no sense to me.
With the same range as an HMG but only Rapid Fire 2, versus RF 3 for the HMG, there would be absolutely no reason to take Hotchkiss guns instead of HMGs.
I think the 30" range given in the Mk IV tank stats makes sense because it gives the option to take a longer ranged light weapon, but in exchange for fewer shots per turn. That gives a balance between the properties of the HMG and Hotchkiss gun.
If the Hotchkiss gun had 30" range I'd use it on tanks as a field conversion instead of an HMG, due to range synergy with the 4" MK II/III gun.
Another indication that the Hotchkiss gun was supposed to have longer range than an HMG is that in the Field Modifications section on page 85 the HMG costs 10 points but the Hotchkiss gun costs 15 points. That makes no sense if the Hotchkiss has the same range as the HMG but only 2/3 the HMG's rate of fire. Why would it be listed as 50% more expensive unless it had an advantage over an HMG (i.e. greater range)?
With the same range as an HMG but only Rapid Fire 2, versus RF 3 for the HMG, there would be absolutely no reason to take Hotchkiss guns instead of HMGs.
I think the 30" range given in the Mk IV tank stats makes sense because it gives the option to take a longer ranged light weapon, but in exchange for fewer shots per turn. That gives a balance between the properties of the HMG and Hotchkiss gun.
If the Hotchkiss gun had 30" range I'd use it on tanks as a field conversion instead of an HMG, due to range synergy with the 4" MK II/III gun.
Another indication that the Hotchkiss gun was supposed to have longer range than an HMG is that in the Field Modifications section on page 85 the HMG costs 10 points but the Hotchkiss gun costs 15 points. That makes no sense if the Hotchkiss has the same range as the HMG but only 2/3 the HMG's rate of fire. Why would it be listed as 50% more expensive unless it had an advantage over an HMG (i.e. greater range)?
